Watson not traded, to remain with Texans

Deshaun Watson’s NFL playing career appears to be on hold until at least 2022.

The Texans did not trade the threetime Pro Bowl quarterback, who has yet to play this season and faces 22 civil lawsuits and 10 criminal complaints from women alleging sexual assault and misconduct, by Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.

Watson, 26, demanded a trade from the organization in January, prior to the filing of the civil lawsuits. He has not practiced with the team and has been inactive for all of the 1- 7 Texans’ games this season.

The Dolphins engaged in trade discussions with the Texans at various points and were the lone suitor for Watson in the run- up to the deadline, per multiple reports.

Watson has a no- trade clause and had not indicated he would waive it for any other potential teams beyond Miami, according to multiple reports.

Amid a 1- 7 start and rumors of a possible Watson deal, Dolphins coach Brian Flores repeatedly said that Tua Tagovailoa had secured his place as the team’s starting quarterback. Last Friday, Flores stated that, barring injury, Tagovailoa would remain the starter for the rest of the season.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross ultimately decided not to pull the trigger on a deal and had contingencies that were not met, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.

The NFL has not placed Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list this year while the quarterback remains out and the league continues its investigation into the quarterback.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said last Tuesday that the league does not have sufficient information to take action.

The Houston Police Department and FBI are also conducting separate ongoing investigations.

Unless he opts to settle the civil cases, Watson cannot be deposed until Feb. 22, 2022 – nine days after Super Bowl 56 in Los Angeles.

Watson signed a four- year, $ 160 million contract extension last September.